AU2007100383A4 - Mini inline jet pump - Google Patents

Description

1 0 0 (N AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 Complete Specification Innovation Patent Mini Inline Jet Pump The following statement is a full description of this invention, includes applications to which this propulsion device can be put.

The overall approach, design, innovations claimed in this invention I believe to be original includes the best method of performing it known to me.

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SMINI "INLINE" JET PUMP There exists a need, particularly in the yachting world, for a small Jet Pump for propulsion, side thrusting during docking, sub aqua diving, other applications. The feasibility of utilising an Selectric drive for such a unit has recently become a viable 00 Sproposition due to significant improvements in battery Stechnology. Further, an electric drive has safety noise io advantages over petrol diesel engines is environmentally acceptable. The uses to which this "mini jet pump" can be put would include the auxiliary motoring berthing of small yachts, propulsion of fishing craft, other recreational craft even down to surf board proportions.

Is This invention, achieves the foregoing objectives by innovatively miniaturising a jet pump. Further, as an additional feature the design incorporates a hermetically sealed "inline electric motor drive" to form a streamlined propulsion "pod" is depicted in attached drawing A, items to (15) fig 1. A couple of typical applications have been examined drawing B, depicts one of several arrangements for the mounting the propulsion unit fig 2 to a boat hull (19) fig 3.

This Invention: 1. Embraces the concept design of a "Mini Inline Jet Pump" which is suited to the above applications.

2. Embodies a streamlined jet pump, of the axial or mixed flow type, connected to an electric motor, either geared or direct coupled, in an "inline drive" configuration of light weight compact dimensions.

3. Provides a safe environmentally acceptable propulsion unit with no projections or exposed propeller.

4. Incorporates, but not restricted to, a pressurised non conducting fluid or grease seal between the pumped fluid the electric motor.

B SThe subject jet pump is depicted in the accompanying drawing A fig 1, component items to The design consists of an outer Jetstream tube figl, to which is connected an inlet tube fig 1, which together form a barrel M 45 surrounding the impeller electric motor. Located within the 00 Mtube (outer cowl) fig 1 is the electric motor assembly fig 1, Swhich is centralised by means of guide diffuser vanes fig 1.

A static discharge cone fig1 secures a sealing expansion diaphragm fig1. This diaphragm provides both a sealing gasket for the non drive end of the electric motor as well as accommodating a provision for the expansion of hermetically sealed air or other media within the drive capsule. However, with adequate water cooling due to the motor being submerged, this feature may not be required.

The jet pump impeller boss figl, with integral vanes (9) figI, is mounted on the motor shaft (10) figl. A rotating nose cone (11) fig 1 which includes, but not limited to, a spring loaded sealant plunger (12) fig1, is attached to the impeller hub fig 1.

Several motorshaft sealing methods are feasible not excluded, but in this arrangement, the nose cone plunger, employing a non conducting grease or other suitable lubricating fluid pressurises the gland (14) fig 1 through a hole drilled along the centre of the motorshaft (10) fig 1. The drive end bearing, is locked in position with a locknut (16) fig or by similar means. A pressure sealed gland block, or motor end piece (13) fig 1, seal (14) fig1, encloses the drive end of the motor capsule which houses the stator rotor (field armature) of an AC or DC electric motor figl.

Although not detailed, a possible watertight route for the power cable to the motor, is through a hole in one of the hydrodynamically or other shaped supports or diffuser vanes fig 1.

O 8 All the foregoing, together with attachments to hull, swivel type or fixed, form a "Mini Jet Pump System" suitable for the propulsion or docking (thrusting) of small water craft. A 00 Spossible location for the mounting the subject Jet Pump units (20) fig 3, to a vessels hull (19) fig 3, has been indicated in attached drawing B.

SEmbracing the same innovations embodying similar components with the same item numbers, is a reversed flow arrangement of the Mini "in-line" jet Pump. This is depicted in drawing C with the electric motor (15) fig 4 optionally driving the impeller fig 4 through a gearbox (17) fig 4. Similar to Drawing A, this arrangement incorporates a gland (14) fig 4 which is under sealant pressure from a plunger or similar device (12) fig 4.

Peripheral inlet porting (18) fig 5 has been provided for depicted in drawing C.

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Claims (5)

1. The innovation of reducing the size of a hydraulic Sjet pump coupling it, inline or offset, with an 00 Selectric motor to form a streamlined submersible propulsion unit or pod, fig 1 to (15) fig 1., Drawing A. fig 4 to (18) fig 5 in Drawing C.

2. The incorporation of a gland (14) fig 1 (14) fig 4 under constant pressure using a non conducting 115 fluid or grease as a sealant behind a spring loaded plunger (12) fig 1 (12) fig 4.

3. Provision for water cooling of the electric motor fig 1 fig 1. 120

4. Provision for the expansion of hermetically air/gas enclosed by the electric motor utilising a diaphragm fig 1; fig 4, or similar means. 125

5. The concept arrangement of the subject propulsion unit in claim 1; figs 1 to 5, is designed such that its applications suitably extend to small sailing boats, recreational watercraft, surf boards, sub aqua diving. 130 135 E. N. Read 3 April 2007